It’s not uncommon for new mothers to experience postpartum depression. Getting adjusted to life with a newborn is rarely a walk in the park, as there are several major changes occurring at once.
Chances are you’re experiencing breast pain, have difficulty sleeping, and are getting accustomed to a new life. But in many cases, there are often deeper emotional issues associated with childbirth. This form of clinical depression is much deeper than your typical “baby blues.”
Still, armed with patience and the right advice, and mother can learn to boost their confidence and prevail postpartum depression. Here are a few tips for achieving this:
Don’t Make Comparisons
It’s easy to start comparing your progress as a mom to other moms—especially if you see them managing motherhood with ease. The same applies to comparing your baby to other babies.
All babies progress at different levels, and you’ll stress yourself by expecting your infant to reach the same milestones at the same time as other babies. Sizing yourself up to others is natural, but it isn’t very healthy—especially during an emotional period in your life.
Realize that everyone works and learns at a different pace, and furthermore, you can never be sure what another person is experiencing in the privacy of their home.
Join a Support Group
Feeling alone or misunderstood is a natural feeling for new moms. This is especially true for those who struggle to understand and/or communicate their emotions.
Fortunately, there are plenty of parental support groups that can put you in touch with other mothers who are experiencing many of the same issues.
In the process, you’re avoiding isolation, building new friendships for you and your child, and learning different ways to parent and cope.
Don’t Neglect Your Social Life
With a support group in mind, it’s important to factor in the importance of a social life. Of course, you can always use a babysitter or family member to get away for a couple of hours.
However, you should also understand that there are also ways you can socialize with your infant in tow.
Far too often, there’s a stigma associated with newborn parents that revolves around the idea that they must shed their old life to accommodate the new.
While there are of course some changes, you don’t have to compromise social health and happiness. Turn to other mothers for support and inspiration, and make socialization an active part of your schedule.
Integrating socialization into your calendar allows it to become a natural part of your routine, rather than just something that you cram into your calendar.
Being Comfortable With Appearance
“There’s no doubt about it: a person’s physical experience is directly linked to their self-confidence,” says Dr. Kelly, a top-rated plastic surgeon in Utah. And according to a group of psychologists, women tend to experience a serious decline in self-confidence during pregnancy, which increases in the following six months after giving birth.
Unfortunately, this pattern continues falling. Even three years after giving birth, their confidence has only nearly reached its pre-birth “baseline.” One of the biggest reasons for a decline in self esteem involved stress over physical appearance.
To combat that, it’s important that you commit to an exercise and health regimen that works for you. Remember, what works for one mom doesn’t always work for the next, and you shouldn’t also create realistic goals that don’t add further stress to the body.
Working with trainers and talking to your doctor can help steer you in the right direction. However, in some cases, plastic surgery can help you spearhead your cosmetic desires and build upon the foundation you’ve set in place.
For example, a tummy tuck can help eliminate stubborn fat, while a facelift can help address some of the facial issues you may have incurred as a result of stress.
Speak to a Therapist
Everyone needs help managing their depression. Work on your mental health by seeking out a therapist or psychologist. These medical professionals can help you unravel what you’re feeling, and offer tried-and-true advice on how to cope and move forward.
There are also some therapists that specialize specifically in postpartum depression. Additionally, you can supplement therapy with some self-help of your own; start by simply browsing the health section of your local bookstore and checking out books on postpartum depression.
